History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Houghton County

Source: History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: containing a full
account of its early settlement, its growth, development, and resources, an
extended description of its iron and copper mines : also, accurate sketches
of its counties, cities, towns, and villages ... biographical sketches,
portraits of prominent men and early settlers. Publication Info: Chicago :
Western Historical Co., 1883. Pages 291-299.

HANCOCK BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JACOB BAER. of the firm of Baer Bros., wholesale and retail butchers,
cattle brokers and dealers in horses, was born in Baden, Germany, December
8, 1846. He is the son of Solomon Baer. In 1862, he came to America and
direct to Hancock, where he joined his brothers, Kaufmann and William, in
their present business. Their business was first established at the Quincy
Mine by the elder brother in 1854, and subsequently moved to Hancock. They
were the first dealers in their line in this section. They now use about
three car loads of cattle a week, and buy and sell about two hundred horses
during the winter season. Mr. Jacob Baer was married at Milwaukee, Wis.,
September 15, 1875, to Miss Mary, daughter of Benjamin Mock. Mrs. Baer was
born at Rochester, N. Y. They have two children—Laura and Walter. Mr. Baer
has held various local offices.

MAX BAER, dealer in general merchandise (furniture a
specialty), successor to H. Smitz & Co. Mr. Baer was born in Baden, Germany,
December 25, 1845, and is the son of Simon Baer. He came to America in 1862;
spent one year in West Virginia, and then came to Hancock, Lake Superior
(1863). He remained here till 1874, when he returned to West Virginia, where
he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business with his father for a
period of five years. He also spent one year in the wholesale drug business
in Wheeling. He returned to Hancock and purchased the stock of H. Smitz &
Co., and entered upon his present business. He is increasing his trade, and
now carries a stock of $16,000 value.

FREDERICK J. BAWDEN, Superintendent of the Mineral Range
Telegraph Company, was born at Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, Mich., July 23,
1856. He is the son of James Bawden. He learned telegraphing, and was
appointed the first operator at Eagle Harbor. He subsequently learned the
printer's trade in the office of the Keweenaw Herald, working one and a half
years. He came to Hancock in 1876 to accept the position of operator of the
Mineral Range Telegraph Company. In October, 1877, he was appointed
Superintendent of the company, which position he has held to this date. He
has also served as Assistant Postmaster at Hancock for the past four years.
Mr. Bawden has proven himself an efficient and popular officer.

JAMES BAWDEN, deceased, was born in Breaze, Cornwall,
England, December 4, 1813. He was a blacksmith by trade, and emigrated to
America in 1844. He visited Wisconsin Territory, and from there came to Lake
Superior in 1845 with Dr. Petted on a surveying and exploring expedition. He
helped to build the first house at Eagle Harbor, and organized that
settlement. He returned to England in the fall of 1846, and was married in
Cornwall, April 3, 1847, to Miss E. A. Williams, daughter of Capt. William
Williams. He then returned to Eagle Harbor, bringing his wife with him,
arriving in June, 1847, having made the trip from the Sault Ste. Marie on
the propeller Independence, the first steam vessel on Lake Superior. Mr.
Bawden was employed as Mining Captain at the North American Mine, and was
connected with it two years. He then bought the dock and small warehouse at
Eagle Harbor; he built a large house and hotel; he carried on the warehouse
and hotel business, dealt in real estate, erected buildings, which he sold
or leased. He sold out the warehouse business after five years to Lenton &
Morrison. In 1853, his hotel was burned; he at once built a large four-story
frame hotel in place of the old one. This house was one of the largest on
the Upper Peninsula, and well furnished throughout. Mr. Bawden also built a
large store building and stocked it with general merchandise, which was
conducted by his son. He kept his hotel, contracted for wood and transported
freight. He was the leading business man of this section. A man of superior
intelligence, upright and honorable in everything, possessed of remarkable
energy and enterprise, he commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew
him; his death, at the early age of forty-nine, cut short his business, and
deprived his family of a loving and honored protector; he died April 28,
1861, leaving a wife and four children. The eldest son, Albert J., lives at
Eagle Harbor; the second, Fred J., is Superintendent of the Mineral Range
Telegraph Co., with headquarters at Hancock; the only daughter, Kittle L.,
died, aged twenty-three; the youngest son, Augustus C., died, aged ten
years.

O. D. BENTLEY, foreman of the saw-mill of the Sturgeon
River Lumber Company, was born in Cambridge, Vt., January 1, 1847. He went
to Wisconsin in 1867, and located at Menasha, where he was in the employ of
E. D. Smith, woodenware manufacturer. From Menasha he went to Peshtigo,
Wis., and engaged with the Peshtigo Lumber Company as sawyer, and was with
that company three years. He was at Peshtigo during the great fire of the
fall of 1871. He and his wife were driven into the river up to their arms by
the flames, and barely escaped with their lives. The year 1872 he spent in
McMillen's Mill at Oshkosh, and, during 1873, he was one of the Supervisors
of the Northern Hospital for the Insane, at Oshkosh. He then traveled in the
Upper Peninsula, and finally located at Hancock, L. S., in the spring of
1877, and engaged with the Sturgeon River Lumber Co. as foreman of their
mill. He was married at Neenah, Wis., January 1, 1871, to Miss Hattie J.
Squire, daughter of H. J. Squire. Mrs. Bentley was born in Neenah. They have
a son—William H.

BROWN & METTE, wagon and carriage makers, also do general
blacksmithing. They have two establishments, one at Hancock and the other at
Houghton. The business was established in 1874, by Gresens & Brown; two and
a half years later, Mr. Brown bought out his partner, and, in July, 1878,
formed the existing partnership with Clemens Mette. They manufacture from
sixty-five to seventy sleighs, and from thirty-five to forty wagons
annually. The Houghton shop was opened in February, 1881. They employ
sixteen men. Mr. Benjamin F. Brown was born in Canada, and came to Lake
Superior in 1873. He worked a year at Marquette, then came to Hancock, and,
a few months later, bought out Mr. Priest's wagon and carriage shop, and
formed the partnership with Mr. Gresens as given above.

MORTON L. CARDELL, Postmaster and hardware merchant,
Secretary and Treasurer of the Mineral Range Telegraph Company; he was born
in Detroit, Mich., March 21, 1846. He is the son of Dr. Morton L. Cardell,
deceased, late a prominent dentist of Detroit. He was educated in the public
schools of that city; in 1864 he came to Hancock, Lake Superior, and
proceeded to the Evergreen Bluff Mine, where he accepted a position in the
general store. In 1865. he returned to Hancock, and engaged as clerk in the
store of Woodard, Patterson & Co.; in 1870, was admitted as a partner, and,
in 1878, became sole proprietor; in 1870, he was elected Secretary and
Treasurer of the Mineral Range Telegraph Company; he still holds this
position. He was appointed Postmaster of Hancock in May, 1878.

WILLIAM H. CARR, General Freight and Passenger Agent of
the Mineral Range Railroad, and Agent of the American Express Company. Mr.
Carr was born in Philadelphia, Penn., October 31, 1844. When thirteen years
of age, he moved with his parents to Lake Superior in 1857, and to Hancock
in 1861. He began the business at this place as a dealer in general
merchandise; subsequently, was employed as supply clerk at the Hecla Mine
three years. In 1872, he formed a partnership with Mr. C. E. Holland and M.
L. Cardell in the hardware business, at Hancook. This connection lasted
about five years. In 1876, he was appointed agent of the American Express
Company. He also served five years as Conductor, Clerk, Express Messenger of
the Mineral Range Railroad. In March, 1881, he was appointed to the present
position. He was married, at Hancock, September 4, 1872, to Miss Lydia,
daughter of Dr. M. L. Cardell. Mrs. Carr was born in Detroit.

JAMES A CLOSE, President of the Sturgeon River Lumber
Company, and proprietor of warehouse, was born in New York City March 16,
1828. In 1849, he came to Ontonagon, Lake Superior, and spent the years from
1849 to 1853 in mining. He returned to New York, spent a short time in that
city and came back to Ontonagon, where he was engaged in mercantile business
until 1861, when he moved to Hancock; he built the first warehouse in this
place, and has since built another larger warehouse adjacent to the old one.
He carries on a general warehcuse business, and has been in that business
continuously since 1861; he has also been in the mercantile business
nineteen years on Lake Superior; he helped organize the Sturgeon River
Lumber Company in 1872, and has been its President since its organization;
he is also Vice President of the First National Bank of Hancock.

WILLIAM CONDON, merchant, was born in Canada May 25,
1833; removed to Detroit with his parents when two years of age, and was
brought up in that city; he received a commercial education, and was
employed as merchant's clerk. In 1853, he went to Ontonagon, Lake Superior,
Mich., and engaged in mercantile business, which he continued nine years at
that place; he then, in 1862, removed to Hancock, where he engaged in the
same business. In 1871, he went to Mankato, Minn., and resided there until
1874; he then returned to Hancock, and ventured upon the mercantile
business, which he has continued to this date. Mr. Condon has a well-stocked
store of general merchandise, and carries an average stock of $35,000. He
was married at Ontonagon October 7, 1856, to Miss Anna Douglas, daughter of
James Douglas. Mrs. Condon was born in Canada. Mr. Condon helped to organize
the First National Bank of Houghton, Mich., of which he was Director and
Vice President. At present he is one of the directors of the First National
Bank of Hancock.

D. B. COOPER, foreman of the Detroit & Lake Superior
Copper Company; has been in the company's employ since 1854; was born in
Broome County, N. Y., March 19, 1834; moved to Oakland County, Mich., with
his parents when two years of age. He went from there to Detroit, and
engaged with the Waterbury & Detroit Copper Company in 1854. In 1867, on the
consolidation of the old company and the Portage Lake Copper Smelting
Company, he was assigned to the foremanship of these works at Portage Lake,
Houghton Co., Mich., and has served in that capacity since.

DENNIS COUGHLIN, proprietor of livery, boarding and sale stables, was
born in Ireland in 1832, and came to America in 1852, and direct to Lake
Superior. He engaged as miner at the Northwest Mine, on Keweenaw Point, and
was employed at that mine three years. He then came to Portage Lake, and
engaged at the Portage Mine, where Hancock now stands; it was a wild stretch
of timber without sign of civilization. He subsequently worked at the Isle
Royal and Quincy Mines under Ricard & Douglass; was with the latter about
eight years; he then began training and draying at Hancock, and contracting
for mines. He continued this business until April, 1878, when he opened a
livery, boarding and sale stable, which he is carrying on at this date. He
keeps a good stock of horses and carriages, and runs the most popular stable
in Hancock. Mr. Coughlin was the first settler in or about, the city of
Hancock. He was married in Ireland, when eighteen years of age, to Miss Ann
Nugent, daughter of Maurice Nugent. They have three daughters and six sons.
Mr. Coughlin has recently lost his wife, who died May 29, 1882.

D. CRAWFORD, contractor, builder and undertaker, was born
in Glasgow, Scotland, August 12, 1840. He came to America in 1849, and made
his home in Toronto, Canada, until 1860, when he came to Hancock, Mich. He
learned the carpenter's trade, and was employed at the smelting works of the
Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company ten years. He continued working at
his trade, and, in January, 1875, opened business as contractor, builder and
undertaker, at the corner of Hancock and Ravine streets. He imports the very
finest styles of burial cases at the most reasonable rates, and has
developed a very substantial trade. He was married at Houghton, November 19,
1863, to Miss Rhoda A. Rice, daughter of John and Ann Rice. Mrs. Crawford
was born in Columbus, Mich. They have four sons and three daughters. Mr.
Crawford lost his wife October 18, 1878. He was married again, December 25,
1881, in Alveston, Canada, to Mrs. Christina Munroe, widow of John Munroe,
and daughter of James and Mary McIntyre.

PATRICK CUDDIHY, engineer of the Hancock Mine and
Superintendent of the stamp-mills, was born in Ireland in 1841. He came to
America in 1856, and direct to Houghton, Lake Superior. He engaged with the
Franklin Mining Company while a boy as copper-washer; was advanced through
the various steps to the machine shop, remaining in employ of the company
ten years. He then entered the service of the Portage Lake Iron Works as
machinist, and continued with that establishment ten years, the four last of
which he was foreman of the works. On the organization of the present
Hancock Mining Company (1880), he was employed as engineer of the mine and
Superintendent of stamp-mills. Mr. Cuddihy was married at Houghton, Lake
Superior, February 6, 1864, to Miss Margaret Shay, daughter of John Shay.
They have eight children, four sons and four daughters.

GUSTAVE DEIMEL, jeweler and watchmaker; business
established in January, 1877; he was born in Prussia, Germany, in Olpe, in
the year 1844, and came to America in 1850, with his parents, who located in
Detroit, Mich.; he was educated in the city schools, and, on completing his
studies, went to Grand Rapids, Mich., and served a regular apprenticeship
with Mr. A. Preusser, jeweler and watchmaker. He came to Lake Superior in
1861, and worked as a journeyman watchmaker until 1863, when he started in
business for himself. He was elected Sheriff of Keweenaw County in 1870. He
came to Hancock in June, 1877, and started his present business. Mr. Deimel
deals in everything in his line, watches, clocks, jewelry, silverware, etc.,
and carries an average stock of $12,000.

JAMES DENNIS, dealer in staple and fancy groceries and
vegetables, was born in Cornwall, Eng., in 1831; was brought up at mining,
and emigrated to America in 1850. He came directly to Lake Superior and
engaged at the Adventure Mine, in the Ontonagon District. He was
subsequently employed at the Norwich, National, Forest, Toltec and Ridge
Mines. In 1856, he went to California by the Panama route. He spent eight
years on the Pacific slope; was engaged in the cattle business in
California, Oregon and Mexico, and returned to the East overland, via Salt
Lake City, about the close of the late war. He spent a few months in New
Jersey, and then came to Portage Lake. For the next few years, he worked as
a miner at the Hancock, Quincy and Franklin Mines. In 1873, he began
business as a grocer, at the Pewabic Mine, and moved to Hancock in 1878, and
continued the business at this point.

MICHAEL DOYLE, merchant tailor, established his business
at this place in June, 1875. He was born in Ireland November 1, 1846. When
of suitable age, he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade. In 1863, he
emigrated to America, and came direct to Hancock, Lake Superior, Mich.,
where he has continued to reside. He engaged with a tailoring establishment,
and perfected himself in his trade, working as a journeyman tailor till
June, 1875, when he opened business for himself. Mr. Doyle carries a good
stock of domestic and imported goods, and turns out work in the latest and
best styles.

HENRY DRITLER, proprietor of billiard hall and dealer in
wines, liquors and cigars, was born in the city of Aalen, Kingdom of
Wurtemberg, Germany, June 6, 1826; he was educated in a mining school;
traveled in France and Switzerland, in the mining interests; returning to
Germany, he worked at mining five years, in that country. Being in sympathy
with the Republican movement, he deemed it advisable to seek a home under a
Government more congenial to his tastes; so, passing into Switzerland, he
emigrated to America, arriving in 1848; he first made his home in
Philadelphia, in the fall of that year, and then went to Pittsburgh, where
he was engaged in a store until 1849, when he came to Lake Superior for a
Pittsburgh mining company; he operated at the Cliff Mine, on Keweenaw Point,
until the fall of 1858; he then returned to Germany and remained from
October of that year until May, 1859, when he returned to Lake Superior and
engaged at the Quincy Mine, near Hancock; he continued with this company
until 1860; he then erected a building in Hancock, on the site of his
present commodious establishment, and engaged in his present business; he
lost his establishment in the great fire of 1869, and immediately rebuilt it
on a much larger scale, and of brick and stone, giving him the largest and
most tasty hall in the town, if not in the county. Business has prospered
with him since, and he is now one of the wealthiest citizens of the place.
He was married, at the Cliff Mine, July 5, 1852, to Miss Fredericka,
daughter of Henry Mertz. Mrs. D. was born in the same country as her
husband. They have five children living, and have lost seven, three of whom
were accidentally killed. Those living are Paulina, Henry, William, Amelia
and Bismarck. The eldest daughter, Paulina, is the widow of Joseph, Linder.
Mr. Dritler has held various local offices, having served three terms as
Village Treasurer of Hancock, several years as Marshal, three years as
Justice of the Peace, and several terms as a member of the Village Council.

HOUGHTON DUNCAN, Mining Engineer and Draughtsman of the
Lake Superior Iron Works, was born in Cornwall, Eng., March 2, 1830. He
received an academic education, and fitted himself for the profession of a
mining engineer. In 1848, he came to America; located in Canada, at the
Bruce Mines. He left there in 1854, and came to Houghton County, Mich. (now
Keweenaw). He erected the engines and stamps at the Keweenaw, Garden City
and Ætna Stamp Mills; was engaged in that section three years. From 1856 to
1858, he spent in Pennsylvania erecting engines. He next went to Rockland,
Ontonagon County, and erected an engine and stamps for the Adventure Mining
Company; was also engaged at the Minnesota Mine; next, put up the engine and
stamps for the Hancock Mine; was next engaged at the Portage Lake Foundry.
He then took charge of the Pennsylvania Mine for three years; he also put up
the engine and stamps for the Aztec Copper Company; from thence to Copper
Harbor, where he erected an engine and stamps for a mine. He next started a
foundry at Eagle Harbor, which he carried on two years. He then acted as
agent for Mr. S. F. Hodge, of Detroit, one year; was engineer of the Huron
Mine one year. In 1869, he superintended the construction of the Lake
Superior Iron Works, for S. F. Hodge; spent two years at these works. He was
next with the Portage Lake Iron Works two years. Then, in 1874, he returned
to the Lake Superior Iron Works, where he has been employed to date.

ERNEST FISHER, manufacturer of and dealer in imported and
native marble. Mr. Fisher bought into this business in 1879, of Mr. Nic
Kutscheid, who established it in 1876. It is the only concern of the kind in
Houghton Co.; Mr. F. was born in Bohemia April 6, 1851. He learned the
marble business in his native country, and came to America in 1876, and
direct to Hancock, Lake Superior; he worked as a journeyman with Mr.
Kutscheid till 1879, when he bought him out. He was married at Calumet, Lake
Superior, October 28, 1876, to Miss Fredericka Bergner. Mrs. Fisher was born
in the same place as her husband. They have two children—a son, Charles,
aged five years, and an infant daughter, Frieda.

FREDERICK W. GETTLING, proprietor of the Northwestern
House, was born in Chicago, Ill., November 3, 1853; when about eight years
of age, he came to Hancock, Lake Superior, with his parents, and was brought
up in this town; he received his primary education in the village school,
and then went to Chicago and attended the high school of that city.
Returning to Hancock, he engaged in the manufacture of cigars, and continued
that business till July, 1881, when he purchased the Northwestern House, and
has since been engaged in his present business.

PATRICK HENRY GALLAGHER, M. D., physician and druggist,
was born in Ireland in 1842. Came to America in 1845 with his parents, and
was brought up at Pittston, Luzerne Co., Penn. He received his primary
education in the West Pittston Academy, and then took one term at the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He then went to Iowa, and completed his
medical studies in the medical department of the Iowa State University, from
which he graduated in 1863. He then received the appointment of Assistant
Surgeon in the volunteer service of the late war. Served with Sherman during
his campaigns till the close of the war. On his return from the South, he
established himself in practice in Clinton County, Iowa. He remained in Iowa
till 1868, and then went to Janesville, Wis.; pursued his practice at that
place, and subsequently at Fond du Lac. In January, 1873, he came to
Negaunee; Mich.; spent one summer in that village, and then moved to
Michigamme. At the latter place, he was engaged in the drug business with
his brother, John A., now a druggist of Kansas City, Mo. In the fall of
1874, he removed to Hancock, and engaged in his present business.

CAPT. JOHN GUNDRY, deceased, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1812; was
engaged in mining in his native country. He went to Ireland for a mining
company, in charge of the water and timber department of the mines. In 1851,
he emigrated to America, and came direct to Eagle River, Lake Superior, in
June of that year. He engaged at the Cliff Mine as mining captain, and
subsequently at the Pewabic, where he died in October, 1864. He had spent
thirteen years of the prime of his life in the copper mines of Lake
Superior, and was acknowledged to be one of the most skillful and
experienced of the mining captains of this region. An upright, honorable
man, he died commanding the respect and regard of all who knew him. Capt.
Gundry was married in England, in 1836, to Miss Alice Stephens. Seven of
their children are living, all of this country—Mary A., John, James,
Elizabeth, Susan, Alice and Esther. The eldest daughter (Mary A.) is
married, and resides in Chicago. John is Superintendent of the Osceola Stamp
Mill at Hancock. James lives at Hancock. Elizabeth is Mrs. John Coomb; Susan
is the wife of James Granville, of Hancock; Esther is Mrs. Charles Koehler,
of Hancock.

JOHN GUNDRY, Superintendent of the Osceola Stamp Mill at
Hancock since 1874, was born in Cornwall, England, September 9, 1839. When
five years of age, he was taken to Ireland by his father, and, when twelve
years old (1851), emigrated to America, and came to the Cliff Mine, on
Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior, with his father, who was subsequently captain
of that mine. He studied to be a mining engineer. In 1862 he engaged with
the Franklin Mining Company as machinist till 1868; was next employed by the
Lake Superior Ship Canal Company as machinist, and continued with that
company till the completion of the work (seven years). He also served as tug
captain two years. In 1874, he engaged with the Osceola Mining Company, at
the Albany and Boston Mine, then operated by this company. He also
superintended the building of the Osceola Stamp Mill at Hancock, and has
been in charge of the business since.

J. E. HOCKING, dealer in general millinery and fancy
goods, is proprietor of two stores in this line, one established at Hancock,
in 1864, and a second at Red Jacket, in 1869. The joint stock equals about
$5,000. Mr. Hocking was born in England in 1830, and emigrated to America in
1849. He came directly to Lake Superior, and spent the winter of 1849-50 at
the Bruce Mine in Canada. The following spring, he came to Michigan and
engaged as a miner at the old Minesota Mine of the Ontonagon District, and
was one of the party that found the first large mass of that mine in 1852.
He spent about ten months at the Minesota Mine, and then returned to the
Bruce Mine, where he worked two years. He then went to Isle Royale, and was
employed as foreman of the stamp mills of the Liscotte Mining Company one
year. From there he went to the Cliff Mine, where he was in charge of the
copper washing one year. Was next a miner at the Dana Mine a few months, and
also at the Northwest Mine. He was next in charge of the stamp mills of the
Connecticut Mine; then to Eagle Harbor Mine, which he worked on tribute one
year; then to the Quincy Mine as foreman copper washer. Had charge of that
work ten years and over. In 1864, he opened a milliner shop at Hancock, and
subsequently established a branch store at Red Jacket, and has continued
this business to date, 1882.

PETER HOLMAN, grocer; business established in 1864. He
was born in Cornwall, England, in 1827. Was brought up a copper miner.
Emigrated to America in 1854, and located at Copper Falls, Lake Superior,
now Keweenaw County, Mich. Spent one year in the Copper Falls Mine.
Subsequently worked in the South Cliff, Huron and Quincy Mines, in all about
ten years. In 1864, he established his present business. He is a dealer in
staple and fancy groceries, fruits, crockery and confectionery. He has a
branch store at Red Jacket, under the management of his son, John H. The
store at Red Jacket was established in April, 1872. He was married, in
England, in July, 1853, to Miss Ann Jasper, daughter of Henry Jasper. Mrs.
Holman was born in England. They have six children—Elizabeth A., John H.,
Emma, Lillie, William and Minnie. The eldest child, Elizabeth, is the wife
of John N. Mitchell, of Hancock.

THOMAS INGRAM, foreman of the Moralee Saw Mill, was born
in Cornwall, England, November 5, 1840. When only two years of age, he was
brought by his parents to America. They located in Grant County, Wis. When
twenty-one years of age he went to Colorado, where he spent ten months in
mining. He then returned to Wisconsin. In August, 1864, he came to Hancock,
Lake Superior, and engaged in saw-mill work in the summer and mining in the
winter time. He built the first shanty at the Calumet Mine, and was the
bearer of the letter from Mr. Hulburt to Hancock announcing the discovery of
that now famous mine. Since 1868, he has been foreman of the Moralee Saw
Mill. He was married, at Jefferson, Grant Co., Wis., in 1861, to Miss
Catharine Moralee, daughter of Michael Moralee.

REV. EDWARD JACKER, pastor of the St. Ann's Catholic
Church of Hancock, was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, September
2, 1827. Was educated at the Universities of Tubingen and Munich. He
emigrated to America in 1854; served as Professor of the Seminary of St.
Vincent of Pennsylvania one year. In 1855, he went to Sault Ste. Marie,
where he was ordained a clergyman of the Holy Catholic Church by the Right
Rev. Bishop Baraga. His first charge was the Indian mission of L'Anse, now
Baraga. He remained there until 1860. While at L'Anse, he also attended to
the spiritual wants of the Catholics in the Portage Lake mines, visiting
them regularly. During a portion of 1860 and 1861, he was in charge of St.
Ignatius Church of Houghton. In 1861, he superintended the building of St.
Ann's Church in Hancock, and was assigned the position of first pastor. In
1866, he went to Marquette to assist Bishop Baraga in the discharge of his
duties at that place, and remained with the Bishop to the time of his death,
which occurred in 1868. From Marquette, he went to Calumet, where he built a
church, and organized the congregation. He remained in Calumet until 1873;
from there went to Mackinac, and took charge of the two churches of Mackinac
and St. Ignace. In 1876, he was relieved of the care of the Mackinac Church,
and had St. Ignace alone. During his stay in Mackinac and St. Ignace, he
visited the Indians and half-breeds in the shore country, from Escanaba to
Drummond Island. In 1880, he came to Hancock, and has since been in charge
of the church of St. Ann of this place. (See history of the church
elsewhere.) Father Jacker has now been actively engaged in his holy calling
at various points on the Upper Lakes and the territory adjacent for a period
of twenty-seven years. During that time, he has served as missionary and
resident pastor. On three occasions, he acted as administrator of the
diocese of Marquette for the space of about one year each time; first, after
Bishop Baraga's death, 1868; second, during Bishop Meak's stay at the
Vatican Council, 1870; third, after the latter's resignation, 1878. He has
taught and performed the duties of his station with ability and fidelity,
being a thorough student and an accomplished linguist. He has acquired a
thorough knowledge of the early history and traditions of this region,
second only to Bishop Baraga, deceased. All tribes and all nationalities are
alike to him; he is equally at home addressing an Indian congregation in
their own language, or a Catholic assemblage of his own race.

HUGH JOHNSON, log and camp foreman of the Sturgeon River
Lumber Company, was born in Canada March 11, 1847; moved with his parents to
Oswego, N. Y., while a child. He was brought up in the lumber business, and,
in 1871, went to Lower Michigan, and lumbered on the Muskegon and
neighboring streams until 1875, when he came to Lake Superior, and engaged
with the Sturgeon River Lumber Company. Since the opening of the season of
1876, he has had general charge of the logging, land and rafting for the
company. Mr. Johnson was married at Big Rapids, Mich., July 6, 1876, to Miss
Velma Satterlee, daughter of Charles Satterlee. She was born in Frankfort,
New York.

DAVID S. KENDALL was born in New York City October 15,
1828; received a mercantile education. In 1859, he came to Lake Superior,
and located at Hancock. He formed a partnership with Mr. Mathews in the
mercantile business, under the firm name of Mathews & Kendall, dealers in
general merchandise. This connection was continued till 1861, since which
time Mr. Kendall has been associated with Mr. James A. Close in the
warehouse business at this place.

E. P. KIBBEE, editor and proprietor of the Northwestern
Mining Journal, was born at Mount Clemens, Mich., February 9, 1839, and is
the son of the Hon. Porter Kibbee, of Detroit. His family moved to Detroit
when he was eight years of age. He received his primary education in the
public schools of that city. When eighteen years of age, he was sent to the
Kenwood Academy, of Pennsylvania, where he spent two years. He next attended
the University at Ann Arbor, Mich., two years. At the end of his sophomore
year, he was obliged to withdraw on account of ill health. In 1862, he was
commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Michigan Lancers, a regiment that was
disbanded, by order of the War Department. before being called into service.
He then went South in the Government employ as a civilian; was at and near
Nashville. He was called to Houghton to close out his uncle's business,
which occupied about one year. He then entered the office of the Portage
Mining Gazette as business manager, remaining three years, and was with Mr.
Deveraux and engaged in book-keeping until 1873, when he started the
Northwestern Mining Journal. See sketch of the paper.

WILLIAM LAPP, manufacturer of lubricating oils and stearine candles.
Established this factory in 1864. (See sketch in history of Hancock). He was
born in Thüringen, Prussia, October 7, 1826, and received an academic
education at Cassel, from 1843 to 1846, and graduated as a mining engineer.
He practiced his profession in the mines of his country until the
breaking-out of the Republican movement of 1848, when he joined the
Revolutionists, and on the failure of the organization he was obliged to
seek a change of climate, so he made his escape to America early in 1849. On
reaching this country, he went to Virginia and engaged with the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Company to superintend the construction of a tunnel near
Kingwood. In 1851, he came to Lake Superior, landed at Eagle River, Houghton
County (now Keweenaw), spent one year exploring for copper, and in 1852 came
to Houghton and engaged in mining. He built the gravitation tramways for the
Quincy and Franklin and Pewabic Mines, on Portage Lake. The rails were made
of wood, faced with strap iron. He was next engaged in exploring the country
from Portage Lake to Superior City. Returning to Portage Lake, he started
his present business in 1864. He was married, at Hancock, in 1865, to Miss
Sophia Hafenreffer. They have three sons and two daughters. Mr. Lapp has
served two years as Township Clerk, and six years as Justice of the Peace.

CHARLES LEIBLEIN, agent for Haas Brewing Company of
Hancock, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1831. He came to America in 1836;
made his home in Cleveland, Ohio, where he resided till 1847. He then came
to Lake Superior, and located at the Cliff Mine, now Keweenaw County. He was
an employe at that mine five years. In 1853, he came to Ontonagon and
engaged as surface boss at the National Mine Was also merchant. He spent
three years at that mine and then changed to the Norwich. He spent one year
at the mine, and was then put in charge of the forwarding business at the
American landing, which position he held four years. He then moved to
Ontonagon, where he spent several years. He next went to Rockland and
remained at that place till 1875, when he returned to Ontonagon, and kept
the Johnson House two years. He then moved to Hancock, where he has since
resided. He was employed in various lines till the spring of 1882, when he
accepted his present position with the Haas Brewing Company.

WILLIAM H. MASON, of the firm of Mason & Trowbridge,
grocers, was born at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., April 8, 1845. When nine years
of age, he came to Lake Superior, and was employed two years at the Dana
Mine on Keweenaw Point. He then returned to his native place, from whence he
enlisted, when eighteen years old, in Company C, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry.
Was promoted to Commissary Sergeant, and served with his company, taking
part in all engagements in which they participated, till discharged, at
Brownsville, Texas, May 8, 1866, having served three years. He then re
turned to Wisconsin, and soon after came to Hancock. where he engaged in
general contract teaming work. He was in the mercantile business with his
brother two years at the Phoenix Mine and five years at the Cliff Mine.
Returning to Hancock, he started in business by himself in the fruit and
vegetable line. In 1878, he organized his present business, and January,
1882, sold a half-interest to his nephew, A. H. Trowbridge. The firm deals
in staple and fancy groceries, fresh and salt fish, salt meats, vegetables
and provisions, and are doing a very satisfactory business. Mr. Mason was
married, at Plymouth, Wis., in 1868, to Miss Hattie A. Chamberlain, daughter
of George Chamberlain. They have three children living—Clarence,
Charles and Andell.

CHARLES S. MAWREY, foreman of foundry of the Lake
Superior Iron Works since 1875, was born in Petersburg, Va., December 11,
1839. He learned the molder's trade at the iron works of J. P. Morris,
Philadelphia, and was employed in that establishment thirteen years. He was
next engaged as foreman of the iron works of Ferrill & Burns, Philadelphia,
four years. He came to Lake Superior in 1875, and accepted his present
position with the Lake Superior Iron Works. Mr. Mawrey was married, in
Philadelphia, Penn., April 25, 1861, to Miss Jennie Stockholm, who was born
in Dutchess County, N. Y. They have four children—James V., Charles E., Aura
V. and Mary E.

THOMAS D. MEADS, County Clerk and Register of Deeds; has
held the office since 1876. He was born in Brighton, England, April 12,
1840. He is the son of George and Ann (Parker) Meads. He emigrated to
America in February, 1856, locating at Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned the
trade of watchmaker and jeweler. He remained three years in that city, and
then removed to Rockland, Ontonagon Co., Mich. He was engaged in business in
his line at that place until June, 1868, when he moved to Hancock, where he
still resides. On coming to this place, he established himself in the
watch-making and jewelry business, which he continued until 1876, when he
was elected County Clerk and Register of Deeds. He was re-elected in
1878-80, and is now serving his third term. He has also held other minor
offices at Hancock. Mr. Meads was married, April 11, 1869, at Rockland,
Ontonagon County, to Miss Elizabeth Anthony, daughter of F. W. Anthony, of
Rockland. Mrs. Meads was born in that place, her family being among the
early pioneers of that town. The have five children—Ella, Annie, Lucy, Daisy
and Jesse.

CHARLES H. MILLER, foreman of the pattern shops of the
Lake Superior Iron Works, was born in Alsace, France, now Germany, December
10, 1853. He learned his trade in his native country, and came to America in
1871; lived at Chelsea until August, 1872, when he went to Detroit, Mich.,
and engaged with Mr. S. F. Hodge, until December, 1873; he then came to Lake
Superior to take charge of the works at Portage Lake, and remained at these
works until 1877, when he went to Dixon, Ill.; worked at his trade until
1879; he then returned to Lake Superior and resumed work in the old shops as
foreman. Mr. Miller was married at Dixon, Ill., April 24, 1879, to Miss
Mattie A. Strong, daughter of H. K. Strong. Mrs. Miller was born in Dixon,
Ill. They have one son—Eddie K.

MATHEW M. MORALEE, manufacturer of and dealer in lumber.
Business established in 1860; was born in Springfield, Mass., February 28,
1829. He left Massachusetts in childhood with his parents, and moved to
Dubuque, Iowa, about the time of the Black Hawk war. Six years later, moved
to Illinois, near Galena. He was engaged in mining till 1850, when having
become of age, he went to California. This was in the early days of the gold
excitement. He participated in gold mining for awhile, then built a hotel at
Georgetown, which was burned at the expiration of the first year. He
remained in California till 1854, when he returned to the States, and became
a pilot on the Mississippi River. He followed that business five years, and
then, in 1859, came to Lake Superior, located at the Cliff Mine, Keweenaw
County, Mich. In 1861, he removed to Hancock, and erected a saw-mill, which
was the first circular-saw mill on the lake. He also operated the tail house
at the Quincy Stamp Mill. Both branches were run successfully until about
1866, when the saw-mill was destroyed by fire. Mr. Moralee had a partner,
Mr. James H. Olds, the firm being Moralee & Olds. They immediately built a
larger and better mill on the site of the old one. They were also operating
a saw-mill and sash and blind factory at the Ripley. A Mr. White was
associated with them in the Ripley business, the firm being Moralee, Olds &
White. They operated the works at the Ripley about seven years. Messrs.
Moralee & Olds had built a grist-mill on the lake above their old saw-mill
in 1867, at a cost of $20,000, which they never put in operation. Having
bought out Mr. White, they tore down the old works at the Ripley, and moved
the sash and door machinery into the grist-mill, but only operated it a
couple of years. After buying Mr. White out, they had purchased the tug
Gallagher. She proved unfortunate, as she exploded her boiler soon after,
killing Mr. Olds, who was sailing her. This occurred August 10, 1872. Since
the settlement of the Olds estate, Mr. Moralee has conducted the business
alone. In 1881, he rebuilt the saw-mill, putting in a new engine and
machinery, the engine being 14x24. The present capacity of the mill is
30,000 feet per day of ten hours; thirty men are employed. Mr. Moralee has
been peculiarly fortunate in regard to casualties among his employes. In all
the years that he has been operating machinery, no serious accident has
happened any man in his employ. Mr. Moralee was married at Louisville, Ky.,
in 1854, to Miss Mary A. Ford. They had a family of ten children, eight
daughters and two sons, all of whom are living except two. Mrs. Moralee died
in February, 1880. Mr. Moralee has always taken an active interest in public
affairs, but has never been an aspirant for political honors, the only
offices that he has held being those of Supervisor and Councilman, both of
which he has held several terms, and is a member of the present Council.

A. OVERFIELD, M. A., M. D., was born in Stroudsburgh,
Monroe County, Penn., December 31, 1836. He is the son of Adam Overfield,
and was educated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., where he graduated in
1862. He began his medical education at the University of Michigan, and
continued and graduated in 1870. He then came to Lake Superior, and
established himself in the practice of his profession in Rockland, Ontonagon
Co., Mich. He was married, at Rockland, June 27, 1872, to Miss Libbie J.
Harris, daughter of Capt. William Harris, now of Torch Lake. In 1873, he
came to Houghton and engaged in practice. In the fall of 1876, he went to
New York, and registered at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and College of
Physicians and Surgeons, taking a select course of studies. While there, he
took a special course of instruction at the Eye and Ear Infirmary and
Woman's Hospital. Early in 1878, he located in Hancock, still maintaining
his office at Houghton. He is now also physician and surgeon for the Huron
Mine.

SAMUEL P. PAYNE, proprietor of meat market. Business was
established July 12, 1870. Mr. Payne was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England,
May 8, 1842. He came to America in 1860, and located at Cohoes, N. Y. In the
fall of 1862, he removed to Hancock, Lake Superior. Having learned the
butcher's trade, he worked at that trade till July 1, 1870, when he started
in the same line for himself, and has continued the business to this date.
Mr. Payne carries a full line of fresh and salt meats, sausage, etc. He was
married, at Copper Falls, in May, 1864, to Miss Mary A. Ham, daughter of
James Ham. Mrs. Payne was born in Granby, Canada. They have a family of
eight sons and three daughters.

W. H. ROBERTS, merchant, was born in Cornwall, England, April 17, 1834.
He was brought up a miner and came to America in 1854. He located in
Ontonagon County, Lake Superior, Mich. In 1856, he went abroad as a mine
explorer. Spent five years in traveling and exploring, during which time, he
operated in Australia, Cape of Good Hope, South America, California and
Mexico. He then returned to England, and brought his family to America. He
had been married, previous to coming to America (1853), to Miss Mary A.,
daughter of William Dennis. On arriving in America with his family (1864),
he made his home in Maryland one year, then came to the Quincy Mine, Lake
Superior, Mich. He was employed at that mine and at the Pewabic till 1872,
when he commenced his present business. In 1878, he opened a meat market in
connection with his other business. In his store, he carries a general stock
of groceries, provisions, crockery, glassware, tinware, of from $8,000 to
$10,000. Mr. Roberts has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of
Hancock live years, and is a member of the present Board. He has a family of
five children—Henry S., Thomas D., William H., John and Maria. The eldest
son, Henry S., is married and lives at Hancock, Lake Superior.

ORIN W. ROBINSON, Superintendent of the mills and yards
of the Sturgeon River Lumber Company, was born at Claremont, N. H.. August
12, 1834, and is the son of William Robinson. He came to Lake Superior in
May, 1854, and located at the Derby Mine, Ontonagon County, remaining there
till February, 1856, and then went to Iowa. Was obliged to travel afoot
about 300 miles of the way. From Ontonagon to Green Bay, he traveled by
trail. Arriving in Iowa, he located in Kossuth County. In 1862, he returned
to Lake Superior, and engaged with the Quincy Mining Company at Portage
Lake, and was in charge of their dock and warehouse at Hancock till 1872. In
December, 1872, he helped to organize the Sturgeon River Lumber Company, of
which he is one of the stockholders. He was elected Superintendent; has
filled that position to this date, 1882. Mr. R. was married, at Cleveland,
Ohio, August 20, 1865, to Miss Cornelia Lombard, daughter of Naham Lombard.
Mrs. R. was born in Wethersfield, Vt. They have two children—Ethel and Deen.
Mr. R. has been Superintendent of the Poor of Houghton County seven years.
The present County Poor House was built under his supervision. During the
years from 1868 to 1874 inclusive, he held the position of Deputy United
States Collector for the port of Houghton. He was elected the first
Treasurer of the Mineral Range Railroad, and held that position one year.
Prior to the organization of the Sturgeon River Lumber Company, he had been
engaged in the insurance business, having begun in that line in 1868. He
continued the business, and August 1, 1873, sold a half-interest to Mr. E.
L. Wright, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of
Robinson & Wright. At this date, 1882, Mr. C. A. Stringer has charge of the
business. The firm represents the following reliable companies: The St. Paul
Fire and Marine Insurance Company; Traders Insurance Company, of Chicago;
Western Insurance Company, of Toronto, Canada; La Confidante Fire Insurance
Company, of Paris, France; Northwestern Mutual Life, of Milwaukee, Wis.;
Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance, of Detroit; Manufacturers' Fire and
Marine, of Boston, Mass.; the London Assurance Corporation, of London; the
Union Insurance Company, of California, Eastern department, Chicago; City of
London Fire Insurance Company, limited, of London, England; Detroit Fire and
Marine Insurance Company, of Detroit; Northwestern National Insurance
Company, of Milwaukee, Wis.; and the Fire Association, of London, England.

S. S. ROBINSON was one of the most prominent and public
spirited business men of the early pioneers of Lake Superior. He was born in
Cornish, N. H.; came to Ontonagon, Lake Superior, in 1853, as agent of the
American Mining Company of New York; he continued in charge of that mine two
years, and then removed to Point Au Barques, Lower Peninsula, where he had
the management of a large lumbering enterprise until the fall of 1857, when
he moved to Winona County, Minn., returning to Portage Lake September 1,
1860, to take charge of the Quincy Mine. He was also general agent for
several other mines. He followed that line of business until 1866; he took
an active interest in getting an outlet from Portage Lake to Green Bay by
land, and was awarded the contract for carrying the winter's mail between
Houghton and Green Bay. The first mail to Houghton County was carried in
three days between Green Bay and Houghton, Mich., and was so carried from
March, 1864, to March, 1865. During his residence there, Mr. R. was well and
favorably known as a thorough business man, and one who appreciated the
importance of the undeveloped resources of this region, and was a leader in
every enterprise calculated to benefit this section. The improvement of the
canal at Portage entry was a pet project of his, and his efforts aided
largely in accomplishing that most important enterprise. He left here in
1866, and went to Waterbury, Conn., where he was engaged in remodeling,
rebuilding and improving one of the oldest and largest brass manufactories
in New England. During an interval in the progress of this work, in 1887-68,
he spent nearly a year in Nevada in the organization and development of an
important silver mining enterprise. Leaving Waterbury in 1870, he became
interested in the Detroit Bridge & Iron Works, and removed to St. Joe, Mo.,
to superintend the building of an important iron railway bridge at that
point. Its piers of massive masonry were sunk through the treacherous sands
of the Missouri, some fifty feet to the underlying bed rock. At the
completion of this work, he removed to Detroit in 1872. He was engaged in
the erection of iron railway bridges until the summer of 1878, when he went
to Leadville, Colo., and assumed the management of the Iron Silver Mine,
which he retained through the most profitable period of its existence. From
Leadville, in 1880, he went to Grant County, N. M., where he is now engaged
as the general manager of the property and works of the Mimbres Mining
Company, one of the most important silver mining enterprises in the
territory. His family still resides in Detroit.

CAPT. JAMES RASS, shipping clerk of the Quincy Copper
Mining Company, was born in New York May 17, 1829; is a son of James Rass.
When four years of age, he moved with his parents to Kalamazoo County,
Mich., where he passed his boyhood. In 1852, he came to Houghton, Lake
Superior. He was engaged in mining at the Old Pewabic Mine till May, 1853.
He then returned to Lower Michigan and remained till the spring of 1857,
when he again came to Lake Superior, and in the fall of that year engaged
with the Quincy Copper Mining Company under S. W. Hill, as contractor of
barreling copper at the mine, and has been connected with the company in
various capacities since to this date, 1882, excepting three years spent in
the service of the Government. He enlisted in July, 1862, as a private of
Company I, Twenty-third Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry; was regularly
promoted in the non-commissioned offices; received a Second Lieutenant's
commission; was afterward promoted to First Lieutenant, and then to Captain
of his company; served till mustered out in August, 1865. During his three
years' service, he never missed a day's duty. He was with his company in all
engagements participated in by them. Among these may be mentioned the
battles of Campbell Station and siege of Knoxville, Tenn., battles of
Buzzard Roost and Resaca, and the battles of Sherman's Atlanta campaign, the
battles of Jonesboro and Franklin, the two battles of Nashville,
participated in the capture of Fort Fisher, joined Sherman after his march
to the sea, and was in his command to the close of his service in August,
1865. He returned to Lake Superior and resumed work with the Quincy Mining
Company. Since the fall of 1872, he has held the position of shipping clerk.
Mr. Rass was married at Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., December 27,
1856, to Miss Almina C. Moon, daughter of William Moon. Mrs. Bass was born
in Portage, Kalamazoo Co., Mich. They have had six children, five of whom
are living—Maggie, James W., T. Sherman, Mamie C., George E. and Samuel. The
youngest (Samuel), died in infancy.

ADOLPH RUHL, proprietor of the billiard and sample room,
stockholder and Director of the Grand Portage Mining Company, was born in
Nausau, Germany, April 21, 1830. He was educated in his native country, and
emigrated to America in 1851; he came direct to Eagle Harbor, Houghton
County (now Keweenaw), and engaged as a miner at the Cliff Mine, and
continued with that company four years; he then took a contract in the
Connecticut Mine and others until 1859, when he concluded to abandon mining
for a time, and engaged with A. F. Leopold, merchant, three years, and
subsequently with Congdon & Holland, as merchant clerk. In 1866, he started
his present business, and has continued it to this date with marked success.
In the fall of 1880, he helped to organize the present Grand Portage Mining
Company, of which he is a shareholder, and was elected Secretary and Agent;
he is now one of the Directors (see history of the mine). Mr. Ruhl was
married at Eagle Harbor in 1856, to Miss Catherine Hoffenbecher. Mrs. Ruhl
was born in Germany. They have nine children, three sons and six daughters.
Mr. Ruhl has held various local offices; he was Highway Commissioner many
years, also Village Trustee, and is a member of the present board; he also
served four years, or two terms, as Coroner of Houghton County.

PETER RUPPE, merchant, and Secretary and Treasurer of the
Grand Portage Copper Mining Company, was born in Austria January 6, 1823;
came to America in 1854, went to Pennsylvania, traveled as a trader in the
West and South till 1864, when he came to Lake Superior and engaged in
mercantile business with Mr. Joseph Wertin, at Hancock, in a small way; two
years later, they separated by mutual consent, and each started for himself
in the same line, since which time Mr. Ruppe has prospered and increased his
business till he, in company with his son, has one of the heaviest
mercantile houses in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They have three large
stores, one at Hancock, another at Calumet established in 1869, under the
management of the son Peter, and another at L'Anse, established in 1873,
under the management of John Campbell. The joint stock of the three is
$140,000. The firm deals in general merchandise, and is doing a thriving
business. Mr. Ruppe has served as Justice of the Peace and President of the
village of Hancock, and is a member of the present Council. He is a
stockholder and Director in the First National Bank of Hancock. He is also a
stockholder and Director of the Mineral Range Railroad. In 1880, he helped
to organize the Grand Portage Copper Mining Company, of which he was elected
Secretary and Treasurer (see history of the mine elsewhere). The mine and
stamp-mill employs 170 men, and produces forty tons of copper per month. Mr.
Ruppe was married in his native country in 1842, to Miss Margaret, daughter
of George Mayerly. They have four sons—Peter, George, Joseph and John. The
eldest, Peter, is a partner with his father, and conducts the store at
Calumet. The second, George, assists his father at Hancock. The younger ones
are students at Notre Dame College, Indiana.

EDWARD RYAN, merchant, and President of the Hancock Copper Mining
Company, also President of the Lake Superior Native Copper Works of
Houghton, was born in Ireland April 22, 1840. He came to the United States
with his parents when four years of age; was brought up at Wiota, La Fayette
Co., Wis.; in 1854, came to Houghton, Lake Superior, and entered the employ
of Sheldon & Co., merchants; he was elected Sheriff of Houghton County in
1860, and served two years; in 1862, he came to Hancock and opened a store
as dealer in general merchandise; beginning with limited means, he gradually
increased his business till at this writing, 1882, he is recognized as the
leading merchant of the copper regions; he carries a large stock of general
merchandise, and in addition to his large double store at Hancock, he has a
second store at Calumet, established in 1868. The stock of the two
establishments averages $120,000; he helped to organize the company now
operating the Lake Superior Native Copper Works, and was elected its
President. In 1880, he purchased the Hancock Copper Mines, and organized the
Hancock Copper Mining Company, of which he is President. He was married at
Houghton, September 15, 1863, to Miss Alice Cudihy, daughter of Thomas
Cudihy. Mr. R. has always been an active supporter of all worthy public
enterprises; he has served several terms as President of the village of
Hancock, and is the present incumbent; he also held various other minor
offices.

CAPT. JOHN C. RYAN, agent of the Hancock Mining Company,
was born in Ireland, June 22, 1829. He emigrated to the United States in
1848, and located at the lead mines of La Fayette County, Wis.; remained
there four years, and then came to Lake Superior, where he engaged with the
Quincy Mining Company as explorer; continued with that company two years. He
next spent three years at the Grand Portage Mine; went from there to
Wisconsin; was gone three years; on his return to Lake Superior, he was
appointed Captain of the Pewabic Mine, which position he held seven years.
He was next Captain at the Hancock one year. He then opened the Hecla,
digging the first pit at that now famous mine, and served as Captain there
for five years. He next opened the Osceola Mine, of which he was Captain
five years. He then went to Colorado, and to the Black Hills of Dakota, and
spent one year mining in that region; at the expiration of that time, he
returned to Hancock, and was appointed agent of the Hancock Mine, which
position he has held to this date. Capt. Ryan was married at the Quincy,
July 11, 1854, to Miss Johanna McDonald. They have a family of two sons and
three daughters. Capt. Ryan, though not a politician, has served in various
local offices.

ARCHIBALD J. SCOTT, druggist, established his present
business in 1869. He was born in Canada January 24, 1849. He lost his
parents while an infant, and was brought up by an uncle, Donald D. Scott,
who was a railroad contractor, and with whom he traveled in several
different States where his uncle's work happened to be. When about eight
years of age, he was placed at school in Watertown, Wis.; when fifteen years
old, he enlisted under his uncle, Col. Donald D. Scott, of the Fifty-second
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in 1863. He served with Col. Scott as Orderly
till November, 1864; was with Gen. Sherman in his celebrated march to the
sea. January, 1865, he enlisted in Company D, same regiment, and served till
September, 1865. In 1867, he came to Lake Superior (Hancock), and was
connected with Mr. M. J. McGuire in the drug business till the great fire of
April, 1869; soon after the fire, he started in business for himself in the
same line in a small way; he has built up a substantial trade, and now has
one of the best stocked stores on the Upper Peninsula. He has served as
Village Assessor four years, and is the present Village Treasurer and
Supervisor of the township and present Chief of the Fire Department. He was
married at Hancock, June 12, 1880, to Miss Sally Clause. They have one
infant child, a son, unnamed.

FRANK SCOTT, head sawyer at the Sturgeon River Lumber
Company's Saw Mill, was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., October 12, 1849.
He went to Wisconsin when twelve years of age; made his home in Jefferson
County till 1864. In 1866, he began in the saw-mill business, as sawyer; he
then worked at Oshkosh till 1870; he then went to Green Bay, worked at that
place and along the bay shore and Ford River; he then worked for Henry
Sherry, at Neenah, and came to Hancock in 1878, to accept the position of
head-sawyer of this mill. He was married at Oshkosh, Wis., October 2, 1873,
to Miss Mary E., daughter of Fred and Mary Yost. Mrs. Scott was born in
Wisconsin: They have a daughter, Ella M.

T J SHELLHORN, Master Mechanic, Master Car-Builder and
Roadmaster of the Mineral Range Railroad, was born in Summit County, Ohio,
May 15, 1835; he served a regular apprenticeship as a machinist at Warren,
Ohio, working five years at one shop; he then engaged with the Cleveland &
Mahoning Railroad as machinist; was with this company one year and a half;
was next employed as machinist one year in the shops of the Rock Island &
Pacific Railroad; next with the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad
three years as engineer and machinist; then to the Chicago, Alton & St.
Louis Railroad as engineer and machinist eight years, and two years as
Division Master Mechanic. In 1871, he went to Texas, and was employed as
Master Mechanic and Master Car-Builder of the International & Great Northern
Railroad, until 1874; then came to Lake Superior and engaged at Marquette as
Master Mechanic of the M., H. & O. R. R., two years; then went to Illinois
and served two years with the Grayville & Mattoon Railroad; was next
employed until February, 1881, at East St. Louis, as Division Master
Mechanic of the Chicago & Alton Railroad; in February, 1881, he returned to
Lake Superior, and accepted his present position on the Mineral Range
Railroad. Mr. Shellhorn was married in Summit County, Ohio, in 1858, to L.
C., a daughter of Jeremiah Yocky.

THOMAS SMART, proprietor of the Lake View House,
established June 1, 1871, was born at Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, May
25, 1840, and came to America with his parents May 1, 1850, landing in New
York May 29; he proceeded at once to Lake Superior, and located at the
Northwest Mine; in 1853, the family moved to Wisconsin, and settled in Grant
County, where they were engaged in farming three years; they returned to
Lake Superior in 1857, and made their home at Copper Falls, now Keweenaw
County. Mr. Smart began working in the mines while only a lad; two years
later, he worked as a miner. In 1870, he came to Houghton and worked a few
months at the Quincy Mine. In 1871, opened the hotel in Hancock, called the
Lake View House. In 1881, he raised the building, adding a basement, rebuilt
and enlarged it until it is the most commodious and popular hotel in
Hancock. The house has ample accommodations for sixty guests, is supplied
with two sample rooms, and is kept in first-class style. Mr. Smart was
married at the Quincy Mine, September 7, 1865, to Miss Mary S. Benney,
daughter of Henry Benney. Mrs. Smart was born in England. They have two
children, one daughter and a son—Etheline M. and Thomas H.

CAPT. JOSEPH SNELL, of the Madison Mine, was born in
Cornwall, England, in 1829, and was employed about the mines in his native
country during early boyhood. In 1854, he emigrated to America, coming
direct to Lake Superior, and locating at the Cliff Mine, and entered the
service of that mining company, remaining until 1859, when he removed to
Grant County, Wis., and engaged in farming; experience in that line
satisfied him that his taste did not lie in that direction; he sold out and
returned to Lake Superior, and worked as a miner three years for the
Franklin Copper Mining Company; from there he came to the Pewabic Mine and
spent one year with that company; he was appointed Captain of the Isle Royal
Mine, south of Portage Lake; he resigned his position to accept that of
agent of the Edwards Mine, town of Franklin; served one year in that
capacity, or until work was suspended; in 1866, he accepted the agency of
the Hancock Mine, and conducted that business until the work was suspended
in 1874; he then in company with Mr. W. H. Streeter purchased the mine and
operated one year; then sold out and was retained as Superintendent about
six months, when he took the mine on tribute, and operated it one year and a
half: in 1881, he was appointed agent of the Madison Mine, his present
engagement. Capt. Snell has been twice married, first in England, January 3,
1854, to Miss Elizabeth A. Tonkin, daughter of Thomas and Susan Tonkin, by
whom he had five children, two sons and three daughters. Mrs. Snell died at
Hancock, January 13, 1872; he was married again at Dodgeville, Wis.,
December 9, 1876, to Miss Annie Vincent, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth
Vincent. She was born in Wisconsin. They have one son and a daughter.

CHARLES A. STRINGER, manager of the insurance business of
Robinson & Wright, was born in Wayne County, Mich., July 27, 1852; graduated
at the State Normal School of Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1874; then came to
Hancock, Lake Superior, and taught the school at the Franklin Mine one year;
January 1, 1876, he engaged with Robinson & Wright, insurance agents,
Hancock, Mich.

E. S. STURTEVANT, manager of the Hancock Elevator, was
born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 15, 1849. He was educated at the United States
Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Md., and graduated in the class of 1864; he
sailed as assistant engineer in various vessels in the United States service
till February 22, 1875, or a term of eleven years and four months; during
which time he made all the cruises except the Mediterranean; he resigned his
position on the date above mentioned; he then went to Kansas City, Mo., and
engaged in the flour business and milling at that place; he discontinued
this business, and proceeded to Cleveland, where he accepted a position as
draughtsman. In 1879, he came to Lake Superior under A. B. Thomas to explore
the Delaware Mine in Keweenaw County; he spent one year with this mining
company. In 1880, he came to Hancock, and was employed at the Franklin Stamp
Mill till June, 1880. He was married at Hancock, June 15, to Mrs. Lizzie
Olds, widow of James H. Olds, and daughter of James H. Harvey. He was
engaged in mining explorations on the Menomonee Range till January, 1882,
when he began work on the refitting of the grist-mill, so as to convert it
into an elevator. (See sketch elsewhere.)

MRS. SARAH THOMAS, proprietress of the Pacific House.
This business was established by her husband, Mr. John Thomas (deceased), in
1874. The house is conveniently located, and complete in its appointments.

JOHN THOMAS, deceased, was born in England, in September, 1851. He
emigrated to America in 1867, coming direct to Hancock, Lake Superior,
Mich., where he obtained the appointment of agent of the Mineral Range
Telegraph Company. He served in that capacity nine years, and then opened
the Pacific House, which he kept till the time of his death, which occurred
November 18, 1881. Mr. Thomas held various local offices; was Town Treasurer
two years and Justice of the Peace two years. He was married at Eagle River,
April 28, 1872, to Miss Sarah, daughter of James McCormick. Mrs. Thomas was
born in Flambeaux, Canada. Three children were born to them—Christine C.,
Nettie A. and Florence W.

HENRY TIDEMANN, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in
Prussia February 28, 1835, and is the son of Frederick Tidemann. He received
his literary education in Schleswig-Holstein, and his medical education at
the Maximilian University of Wirtzburg, Bavaria, and graduated in 1855. He
was assigned to hospital practice; he came to America in 18—; spent one year
in New York City, and then went to Australia, where he practiced in the
principal cities. While he was in Australia, he married and had three
children born to him, two daughters and a son—Wilhelmina, Henry and Doris.
The mother died and the children were taken to Germany and educated by their
grandparents on the father's side. They are now residents of the United
States. He also practiced in New Zealand nearly a year. He then returned to
America, and entered the service of the United States as post surgeon; was
stationed at various forts in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas; was
in Government service seven years. He left the service in Texas, and went to
Colorado, where he practiced his profession three years. He was married at
Fort Union, New Mexico, in 1874, to Miss Nanny J. Morton, by whom he had one
child, a son, which died in Pueblo, Colo. Mrs. Tidemann died in Georgetown,
Colo., in 1878. In the fall of 1878, Dr. Tidemann came to Keweenaw County,
Lake Superior, Mich., and was appointed physician to the Delaware Mine. He
was married, while at this place, April 14, 1879, to Miss Theresa Dougherty,
daughter of John Dougherty. Soon after his marriage, he left the Delaware
Mine, and located at Red Jacket, Lake Superior, where he practiced three
years. In the summer of 1881, he came to Hancock, and has resided here to
this date. There were two children born of the last marriage—Walter L. and
Birdie. The latter died in infancy.

E. H. TOWAR, Cashier of the First National Bank of
Hancock, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., June 6, 1840; he left New York in
his childhood with his parents, George W. and Hannah M. Towar, and went to
Detroit, Mich., where he was brought up and educated; he entered the law
office of Buel & Trowbridge, and studied five years, and was admitted to the
bar May 17, 1862. In 1864, he accepted a position in the Pay Department of
the General Government, under Col. Joshua Howard, at Cincinnati. He remained
at Cincinnati about nine years. During the last five years of his residence
in that city, he was employed in the First National Bank of Cincinnati. In
1872, he came to Hancock, and helped to organize the first National Bank of
this place, and was elected Cashier, which position he has held to this
date, 1882. He was married at Hancock, Lake Superior, Mich., May 17, 1866,
to Miss Isabella Cardell, daughter of Dr. Morton L. Cardell, of Detroit.
Mrs. Towar is a native of that city; they have two children, both
daughters—Belle, aged thirteen; and Madge, aged eleven years.

A. H. TROWBRIDGE, of the firm of Mason & Trowbridge,
grocers, was born at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., July 3, 1857. When five years of
age, he came to Hancock; spent two years and went back to Wisconsin, and
shortly afterward returned to Lake Superior. He resided here until nineteen
years of age, and then went to Nebraska, and engaged in farming in the town
of Hebron, Thayer Co. He was married in Michigan October 21, 1878, to Miss
Emma L. Loring, daughter of A. T. Loring. Mrs. Trowbridge was born near
Hancock, Lake Superior. They have one son—Everette. Mr. T. sold out in
Nebraska and moved to Hancock in January, 1882, and engaged in his present
business.

FRED VOSS, manufacturer of potash and dealer in wood,
established his business at Hancock in 1860, and a branch establishment at
Lake Linden, in 1866. In the two factories he manufactures about one hundred
tons of potash; he has 500 acres of timber land, and handles about seven
thousand cords of wood annually; he employs an average of twenty men; keeps
a portable engine and saws, and furnishes sawed wood to order. Mr. Voss was
born in Prussia, December 20, 1829. He came to America in 1858; spent a year
and a half in Detroit, Mich., and then came to Hancock, Lake Superior;
worked a few months in the Quincy Mine, and then commenced in his present
business. He was married in Prussia September 13, 1854, to Miss Theresa,
daughter of Joseph Kaiser. They have three sons and two daughters.

DR. CHARLES H. WALKER, dental surgeon, established
practice in 1873. He was born in Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., February 21,
1847. He was educated at Albion, and studied dentistry with Dr. G. W. Stone,
of his native county, beginning in 1865. In 1870, he formed a partnership
with Dr. Stone, which was continued until 1873, when he came to Hancock, and
established his present office. He also has offices at Calumet and Torch
Lake. He lived at Calumet, and did not make his home at Hancock until 1881.
He was married at Copper Harbor, August 3, 1872, to Miss Julia Guilbault, of
Mackinac, Mich. They have two children, daughters—Minnie B. and Florence J.

REV. PHILLIP WAMBSGANSS, JR., pastor of the German
Lutheran SS. Peter and Paul Church, was born in Adams County, Ind., February
16, 1857. He was educated for the ministry at Concordia College, Fort Wayne,
Ind., and at Concordia College, Springfield, Ill., spending six years at the
former and three at the latter. He was ordained a minister of the German
Lutheran Church by his father, the Rev. Phillip Wambsganss, Sr., in
Sheboygan County, Wis., in 1879. Immediately after his ordination, he
proceeded to Hancock, Lake Superior, to accept the pastorship of this
church, and has since served as its pastor. Mr. Wambsganss was married at
his father's house, in Sheboygan County, Wis., June 4, 1880, to Miss Carrie
B., daughter of John Shellmann, of Hancock, Lake Superior. Mrs. Wambsganss
was born in Sheboygan County, Wis. They have one son—Frederick.

JOSEPH WERTIN, senior partner of the firm of Joseph
Wertin & Sons, merchants. The business was established by Joseph Wertin in
1864. A branch store was established by this firm at Calumet in January,
1870, and is conducted by the eldest son, Joseph. The firm deals in general
merchandise, and carries a stock of goods in the two stores averaging
$80,000. Mr. Wertin was born in Austria, October 22, 1818, and came to
America in April, 1852: spent five years in traveling in the Western States,
and in 1857 returned to his native country. He was married in 1838 to Miss
Mary Derschey. They have four children, three sons and one daughter—Joseph,
John B., Mary and George. Joseph and George are in partnership with their
father, and John is a Catholic Bishop at Marquette, Mich., having been
consecrated September 14, 1879. Mary is the wife of Joseph Bosch, of Lake
Linden. Mr. Wertin and his family emigrated to America in 1863. Leaving his
family, he traveled again in the West as a trader. Was in the gold diggings
of Pike's Peak in 1860, and in July, 1861, came to Lake Superior. He
traveled in the Lake Superior country until 1864, when he formed a
partnership with Mr. Peter Ruppe. and opened a small general store at
Hancock, under the firm name of Wertin & Ruppe. This connection lasted two
years, and was dissolved by mutual consent, and each party started in
business for himself. Mr. Wertin was burned out at the time of the great
fire of April 11, 1869, by which he lost everything but his credit. He
rebuilt immediately, and restocked his store on credit. Business prospered
with him. He rapidly increased his stock, took his sons in partnership with
him and established a second store at Calumet, and is now voted among the
heaviest general merchants of the Upper Peninsula. In 1881, he was
instrumental in organizing the Grand Portage Mining Company, of which he is
one of the largest stockholders. The mine produces forty tons of copper per
month. See sketch of the mine and stamp-mill in the history of Houghton.

REV. FRANK N. WHITE, resident pastor of the
Congregational Church, was born at Lyons, Iowa, October 25, 1858, and is the
son of the Rev. Lorenzo J. White, of Green Bay, Wis. He was educated at
Ripon College, Wis., and graduated in 1878. He was also a student of Andover
Theological Seminary, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1881. Was ordained a
minister of the Congregational Church, and accepted the appointment of
pastor of the Congregational Church at Hancock, Lake Superior. Mich. He was
married at Sparta, Wis., September 27, 1881, to Miss Jennie I. Allen, who
was born in Sparta, and is the daughter of J. H. Allen.

BENJAMIN WIEDER, manufacturer of and dealer in light and
heavy harness and dealer in buggies and cutters; business established in
1867. Mr. Wieder was born in Baden, Germany, February 15, 1846. When three
years of age, he was brought to America, and was brought up in Cleveland,
Ohio. He came to Hancock, Lake Superior, in 1863, and began learning the
harness-maker's trade. He soon afterward went to Chicago, where he worked at
the same till 1866, when he returned to Hancock, and in 1867 started his
present business. Since 1880 he has dealt in buggies and cutters. He employs
an average of four men, and carries a stock of goods to the amount of
$7,000. He was married at Hancock in January, 1876, to Miss Henrietta,
daughter of Adolph Ruhl, Mrs. Wieder was born in the Lake Superior country.
They have three children—Lydia I., Benjamin E. and Ernest H.

CHARLES A. WRIGHT, Secretary and Treasurer of the Mineral
Range Railroad Company, was born at Hartford, Conn., December 4, 1854. He
came to Hancock, Lake Superior, in the fall of 1873, and accepted the
position of Teller in First National Bank of this place, which position he
held till January 1, 1881. He has not been active in local politics. The
only office which he is known to have accepted was that of Township
Superintendent of Schools of Hancock for one term. January 1, 1881, he was
elected to his present position with the Mineral Range Railway.

EDWARD L. WRIGHT, Secretary and Treasurer of the Sturgeon River Lumber
Company, and senior member of the firm of Robinson & Wright, insurance
agents. (See sketch of O. W. Robinson.) The subject of this sketch was born
in Glastonbury, Conn., March 19, 1847; he is the son of the Rev. James L.
Wright, a Congregational clergyman of Connecticut; he was educated at the
Brainard Academy of Connecticut. When seventeen years of age (1864), he came
to Hancock and engaged with the Quincy Mining Company. Two years later, he
accepted the position of book-keeper in the extensive general store of S. D.
North, at the Quincy Mine; he continued with Mr. North three years; he then
went to Springfield, Mo., where he formed a partnership with a Mr. Thompson,
under the firm name of Thompson & Wright, dealers in general merchandise; he
continued this connection two years (from 1869 to 1871); he then bought out Mr. Thompson, and opened a dry goods and
clothing store at North Springfield; he continued that business two and a
half years, and then closed out and returned to Hancock in the spring of
1873, and was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Sturgeon River Lumber
Company, which position he still holds. August 1,1873, he bought a half
interest in the insurance business of O. W. Robinson, since which time the
business has been conducted under the firm name of Robinson & Wright. For
list of companies see sketch of O. W. Robinson. Mr. Wright was married at
Mount Clemens, Mich., in August, 1871, to Miss Ada M., daughter of the Rev.
Barton S. Taylor, a Methodist clergyman of Mount Clemens. They have four
children, two sons and two daughters—Edward T., Lucy M., Bertha and one son,
unnamed. Mr. Wright is a member of the Congregational Church and
Superintendent of the Sabbath school.

Z. W. WRIGHT, financial manager of the Lake Superior Smelting Works, was
born in New Hampshire January 1, 1832; he came to Michigan in 1841, and was
employed several years as cashier with Buhl & Ducharme's wholesale hardware
store, of Detroit. In 1868, he came to Hancock, Lake Superior, to accept the
position of financial manager of the Lake Superior Smelting Works; he was
elected President of the First National Bank of Houghton.

Includable Page Index History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: Houghton County